With battle lines drawn over legality of Kosovo's independence, India, which has backed Serbian sovereignty, said the issue should be resolved through peaceful means.
The sovereignty and territorial integrity of
international borders should be fully respected by all States and the Kosovo issue should be resolved through peaceful means, Indian Ambassador to Serbia Nengcha Lhouvum Mukhopadhaya said.
India is yet to recogonise Kosovo that unilaterally declared independence on February 17, 2008, which was later ratified by the International Court of Justice on July 22 this
year.
The Indian Ambassador asked Serbia and Kosovo to refrain from any type of confrontation, including military action, Tanjug news agency reported, adding that she said the matter should be resolved through consultation and dialogue with the parties concerned.
On August 9, Indian Ministry of External Affairs did not endorse the ICJ's verdict saying the country's stand on "Kosovo's UDI (Unilateral Declaration of Independence) has not changed".
"We are studying the Opinion of the ICJ on the Kosovo issue," it said.
Kosovo declared independence years after the bloody 1998-99 war with Serbia and nearly a decade of international administration.
Meanwhile, the ambassador said despite comprehensive friendly relations, economic cooperation between India and Serbia is still insufficient.
She asked Serbia to re-adjust its lenses and look at India as a potential investor and a trade partner.
On the other hand, Serbia has areas of excellence that India can benefit from, in the fields of agricultural science -- improved seed varieties, post harvest technology, food
processing, and other sectors such as engineering, defence production etc, Mukhopadhaya said on the eve of India's 64th Independence Day.